BB&K In the NewsJun 22, 2017

Calif. County Tax On Leased Tribal Lands Gets Judge's OK

Best Best & Krieger LLP Partner Roderick Walston discussed with Law360 a ruling he received on behalf of client Desert Water Agency in a suit brought by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The publication reported on June 16 about a federal decision the previous day that Riverside County lawfully collected taxes on leased tribal lands (DWA intervened in the lawsuit previously, as it receives part of the tax).

Rod told Law360 that the judge “reached the right result based on the law that applies.”

“The interest in the state and the county in imposing the tax outweighed the tribe’s interest,” Rod added. “It would be very difficult for the tribe to obtain a reversal in the Ninth Circuit.”

Related Practices

Related Industries

Established in 1891, Best Best & Krieger LLP is a full-service law firm with about 200 attorneys in 10 offices across California and in Washington, D.C.
We deliver effective, timely and service-oriented solutions to complex legal issues facing public agencies, businesses and individuals.